Two children died of suspicious injuries, but not at the hands of their parents.

Six of the children who died were referred to the department more than 20 times.

Ms Goward said case workers are now seeing 5000 more children than they were two years ago.

Caseworkers are now able to see 28.8 per cent of children, up from 21 per cent, Ms Goward said.

"We have changed the emphasis of the department," Ms Goward said.

"We have got the muck out of the way, we have got the administrative red tape out of the way and we are encouraging and involving caseworkers to do what they were appointed to do, which is to see children and make wise decisions."

The report also highlights improved practices for dealing with domestic violence.

A review of how caseworkers dealt with children in violent homes found an "infrequent inclusion" of children or those who may be able to give insight.

In one incident where a child died, a sibling who was later interviewed described the violence they had been living with.

Despite numerous field visits by caseworkers in the lead-up to the child's death, at no time were the children spoken to.

Caseworkers are now required to indicate whether they have interviewed a child.

Domestic Violence NSW spokeswoman Tracy Howe said the emphasis on domestic violence in the report was extremely important.

"It's very exciting that this report highlights domestic violence as a key factor," Ms Howe said.

"This is behaviour that happens to a family by a perpetrator, and front and centre is that the perpetrator should be held to account."